How to Grow and Care for Black-spined agave

Black-spined agave is distinguished by its compact clumps, reaching nearly 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 5 feet (1.5 meters) wide. The rosettes consist of narrow blue-gray leaves about 10 to 16 inches (25 to 40 cm) wide, projecting outward in a radial pattern. Remarkable dark brown marginal teeth line the leaf edges with a stark, 1-inch (2.5 cm) long terminal spine. Leaves may take a reddish tint as the plant prepares to bloom, revealing a dark red stem. These rosettes culminate in a flowering process initiated apparently after at least 15 years of growth, showcasing an inflorescence on a slender stalk up to 6 1/2 feet (2 meters) with numerous lateral branches.